How they rated
JOSH ADAMS
As starts go, it might not have been Status Quo, Rocking All Over The World, Live Aid, 1985, but it was still decent enough. Adams fronted up in defence and was willing to have a go in attack. A confident debut, something to build on.
SCOTT WILLIAMS
Welcomed Chris Harris to the Six Nations by frog-marching him back five metres and dumping him on his backside. Seemed to know what the Scots backs would do before they even did it, marshalling Wales’s midfield defence superbly.
HADLEIGH PARKES
Uncompromising in defence and largely error-free for long spells, with one of his kicks out of defence aiding his side hugely. Was his pass forward to Steff Evans for final Welsh try? The officials didn’t think so. Still tackling with Wales 34 points clear near the end.
STEFF EVANS
Fizzier than a can of shaken-up Tango. Set the tone for the first-quarter running with a lovely step past the first line of defence. Later, came up with kick that set up a chance for Gareth Davies, and put the cherry on the cake with an outstanding finish.
RHYS PATCHELL
Orchestrated much of the run-at-all-costs mayhem impressively in the opening quarter and mixed his game up nicely thereafter. Considering it was his first start at No. 10 for Wales, there was an assurance about him that was remarkable.
GARETH DAVIES
Started shakily with a missed touch and a missed tackle, but he didn’t miss Ali Price’s pass as he intercepted to race clear over 60 metres for a superbly taken score. He was quick and alert throughout, maintaining his side’s tempo. Pascal Gauzere (France) 74,169
ROB EVANS
Lively in the 50 minutes he spent on the field, contributing fully to the more expansive game Wales are trying to play. He is comfortable with ball in hand and sound in the tight, a prop tuned to the modern game.
KEN OWENS
Made six tackles in the opening 15 minutes before settling down to contribute soundly throughout. One powerful charge at the heart of the Welsh pack almost yielded a score. Quietly effective.
SAMSON LEE
Wales didn’t achieve scrum dominance in the opening half, but nor did they take a step back. Audaciously, Lee came up with sleight-ofhand that a conjuror would have been pleased with, flicking the ball on. Solid.
CORY HILL
His passing belied the number on his jersey at times, especially when he swivelled to send out the key ball in the move that ended with Halfpenny crossing. Gatland would have enjoyed seeing a lock handling with such poise, but Hill also got stuck in at rucks and mauls. His best game for Wales.
ALUN WYN JONES (CAPT)
Imperious take from kick-off but offload to Evans just failed to go to hand with the line beckoning. Jones clattered into mauls and did a lot of the unglamorous stuff without which no team performance is complete. Also put in one charge that Anscombe should have made more of.
AARON SHINGLER
Began with a great break that tore open the Scottish defence and almost yielded a try for Steff Evans, then pressured the Scottish line-out. Sapped Scottish strength with his charges and, at times, seemed to have sneaked a twin brother onto the field, so ubiquitous was he. Terrific.
ROSS MORIARTY
Considering he had played only three games in nine months, his was a lungburning effort that said much for his character. He grafted hard until subbed on 65 minutes, an encouraging first game back.
JOSH NAVIDI
Picked up where he left off in the autumn with a big first-half effort that saw him claim two turnovers, one of them in the shadow of his own posts. He was never far from the ball, the mark of a good openside.
Halfpenny; Adams, Williams, Parkes, S Evans; Patchell, G Davies; R Evans, Owens, Lee, Hill, AW Jones (captain), Shingler, Navidi, Moriarty. Replacements: Dee, W Jones, Francis, B Davies, Tipuric, A Davies, Anscombe, Watkin.
Hogg; Seymour, Harris, H Jones, McGuigan; Russell, Price; Reid, McInally, Welsh, Toolis, Gray, Barclay (captain), Watson, du Preez. Replacements: Lawson, Bhatti, McCallum, Gilchrist, Wilson, Laidlaw, Horne, Maitland.